6abc Zooballoon

The 6abc Zooballoon has stopped flying for the season. Look for a new 6abc Zooballoon in spring of 2015.

The balloon can be illuminated from the inside using three 400-watt metal halide lamps. This popular attraction allows Zoo guests to rise to heights of 400 feet, overlooking giraffes, zebras, polar bears and more of the Zoo’s majestic wildlife. From above the treetops, guests can enjoy spectacular, one-of-a-kind views of Fairmount Park, Center City and the Zoo itself.

Climb aboard the 6abc Zooballoon and embark on a soaring-safari. Rise high above the treetops of the Zoo and overlook giraffes and zebras. Elevate to heights of 400 feet and enjoy spectacular views of Fairmount Park and the Philadelphia skyline. Voyages last approximately 10 minutes.

The Zooballoon flies only when weather conditions permit a safe ride for passengers. Check our homepage to see if the balloon is flying on a given day.

Ticketing information

The 6abc Zooballoon flies when wind and weather conditions permit. Test flights are conducted each morning with status determined prior to 9:00 a.m. Tickets must be purchased on the day of your flight and are available right at the Zooballoon entrance.

Accessibility

Standard size, non-powered wheelchairs can fit inside the gondola.

Restrictions

Riders under 9 years of age must ride with an adult.

The 6abc Zooballoon has stopped flying for the season. Look for a new 6abc Zooballoon in spring of 2015. The 6abc Zooballoon only flies when conditions are safe for passengers.

Air Speed & Weather Restrictions

Each day, the Channel 6 ZooBalloon's flight team performs thorough testing before determining the Channel 6 ZooBalloon’s flight status. The process starts at 7:00 each morning. If weather conditions on the ground are favorable, the crew will unmoor the ZooBalloon and perform a test flight that checks wind speeds all the way up to 400 feet in the air.

Additionally, the flight team also looks at actual and forecasted weather conditions in the immediate surroundings. When all safety considerations are met, the Channel 6 ZooBalloon is cleared to fly with passengers. If conditions are unfavorable in the morning, the ZooBalloon goes on hold until the wind conditions turn favorable for another test flight. This process is repeated multiple times each day.

To ensure the safety of riders, wind condition all the way up to 400 feet and general weather must be favorable in order for the ZooBalloon to be cleared to fly. Even when the weather may seem good on the ground, radar and other instruments will pick up subtleties along the flight track that cannot be detected at ground level. The flight team constantly monitors the weather conditions and makes every attempt possible to fly the balloon with passengers.